{"id":502,"date":"2023-04-04T15:15:28","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T20:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mobilevetmd.com\/blog\/?p=502"},"modified":"2023-04-04T15:15:28","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T20:15:28","slug":"a-primer-on-dilated-cardiomyopathy-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishtownvet.com\/blog\/a-primer-on-dilated-cardiomyopathy-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"A Primer On Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Havanese<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

A common cause of heart disease in large-to-giant dog breeds, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) can affect certain dogs in middle age and senior years. Rare in cats<\/a> and small dogs, DCM may have nutritional links in addition to possible genetic ones. To provide the best possible care to your dog, it\u2019s always important to stay in front of both known and unknown risk factors. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a significant illness to be aware of to prevent and treat developing symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What IS DCM?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dilated cardiomyopathy occurs when the heart muscle stops contracting the way it should. This causes the blood to pool up inside the chambers of the heart and, in turn, stretches out the heart muscle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This failure typically affects the left side of the heart, but it can impact the entire heart muscle, or even just the right side. Persistent pressure on the heart\u2019s left side can lead to congestive heart failure or pulmonary edema (fluid build up within the lungs). If this occurs on the right side, congestive heart failure may be characterized by the abdomen and\/or the chest cavity filling up with fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because blood and fluid pool up in and around the heart, symptoms of DCM may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n